NW Kid Chaser

Labor Day Weekend brought our last summer outing as a family. It also turned out to be one of our favorites.

Visiting the wildly popular Fort Stevens State Park, we found four reasons to visit this neck of the woods – again and again and again!

1) Deluxe Cabins

Just this summer, Ft. Stevens State Park opened eleven new cabins for business and they are SPECTACULAR! There are firm beds for 5 people. There is a refrigerator, microwave, and beautiful gas grill. There is a flush toilet, a hot shower, and a towel rack. And my very, very favorite….there is a darling covered porch that overlooks your picnic table, fire pit and paved trails. As someone who does not like to camp, but loves state parks: Our deluxe cabin was pure heaven!

The Fort Stevens State Park Campsites sit near the Historical Area – but Battery Russell is an old military ‘fort’ that sits vacant between the two. This abandoned concrete bunker is open to the public and makes for a spooky self-tour. Visiting with another family, we decided to play sardines, and with flashlights in hand, explored every nook and cranny this relic has to offer. While my nine year-old and I preferred the open spaces, my six year-old relished in the darkest, coolest, quietest crannies that could be found. The result: the greatest game of family sardines ever!

3) Bike Trails

Seven miles of paved and independent bike trails were our true inspiration on this trip. We covered every inch of these trails and some of it twice! While most of the trails are smooth sailing, be warned that there are a few hills where huffing and puffing seem to be required. Luckily (or not) my boys were then delighted by the slope down the other side of these hills. Quotes from my youngest include: “Wheeeeeeeee!” “I’m going 500 miles per hour!” “I can do this with my eyes closed!” “Again! Again! Again!” Even on the busiest of a Labor Day weekend, we found the trails wide open with little traffic.

4) Beach

While the Wreck of the Peter Iredale seems to be a big draw at the beach at Fort Stevens, we ventured up closer to the South Jetty. The beach access at Parking Lot A welcomes you to what may be the most beautiful stretch in northern Oregon. Almost deserted in comparison to the lower beach, we enjoyed hours of picnicking, wave jumping and sand castle building. I don’t remember the last time I enjoyed the Oregon beach this way –--- perhaps that 80’ weather helped. Note to self: September visits are the very best!